MNL urges the province to show leadership and make a decision on banning single-use plastic bags.

March 5, 2019 – St. John’s.

No Delay, No Backing Down!

The Board of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) believes that the Province’s decision to engage in further consultations regarding banning single-use plastic bags is merely delaying necessary action.

MNL President Tony Keats is completely shocked by this announcement and says it’s a significant step backward. “We believed a ban on single-use plastic bags was imminent. Just last month the Minister stated publicly that a decision – not more consultations – would happen within weeks.”

Municipalities have voted twice overwhelmingly for a provincial ban on single-use plastic bags. The Retail Council of Canada has conceded that a province-wide ban is the preferred alternative. The provincial government already brought all stakeholders together already for a consultation. Now is the time for action, not more delay.

The last thing anyone wants is for this critically important environmental issue to become politicized in the upcoming provincial election. We need a decision to ban single-use plastic bags as soon as possible. This government has a rare opportunity to show environment leadership on the national stage, and they need to take it.

MNL and our partners are planning another Day of Action for March 11. We are calling on municipalities, residents and anyone who feels the time for talk is over to let the province know we want action. Log on to the survey and tell them again – for once and for all – that we want single-use plastic bags banned. Now.

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About MNL

Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador (MNL) was formed in 1951 as an umbrella organization mandated to represent and support local government in Newfoundland and Labrador. MNL represents the 275 incorporated municipalities in the province that service 89 per cent of the population and their more than 2,000 leaders.